It's Memorial Day and the Cincinnati Reds are in first place, by two and one-half games no less.

Is this a dream? Can this be happening? Has Nuxhall been in the Budweiser again?

Before the season, the Reds offensive prowess was well documented. A healthy outfield of Ken Griffey Jr., Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn as well as first baseman Sean Casey could best in baseball.

Certainly a healthy Griffey has been a key. He's putting up numbers that earn him his $10 million (if there is such a thing as really earning $10 million). Griffey's May performance has overshadowed the fact Casey has a batting average that's closing in on Griffey's salary numbers.

But the key to any team's success is the pitching. Paul Wilson is 7-0, the same record as Roger Clemens. This is not to say Wilson is in the same class as Clemens, but he has the same success ratio this season.

The bullpen has been good although scary. Danny Graves now has 23 saves even though they may be cheap or shaky. One thing Graves will do is make it exciting.

Another thing skipper Dave Miley has managed to accomplish is an improved defense. The errors are down and so are the earned run averages.

But the big question remains. Can the Reds outlast the Astros, Cardinals and Cubs?

The answer is "yes," and here are the top 10 reasons why the Reds will win the division.

10. Cubs fold after someone tells Sosa "to put a cork in it" and he does.

9. Houston's home field not as intimidating now that the stadium has changed its name from Enron to Minutemaid Park.

8. Cardinals spend too much time ordering food because manager's office is nicknamed LaRussa's Lair and they think it's a new pizza parlor.

7. Moises Alou forced to wash his hands every time he goes to the bathroom.

6. Biggio, Bagwell and Berkman start making a lot of errors and nickname goes from Killer Bees to the Bumble Bees.

5. Audubon Society complains about the use of a bird's name and St. Louis is caught up in controversy of whether to call the team the Red Shirts or the Opie's Hair.

4. Cubs are unable to perform after listening to Ozzy Osbourne AND Courtney Love team up to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

3. Astros are unable to perform after Pee-Wee Herman is hired as the official team mascot.

2. Cardinals are unable to perform after hearing Jessica Simpson asked them why they don't just use insect spray to get rid of the flies.

1. Pedro Borbon lifts his curse on the Reds.

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.